Abstract: Data is input to a printing device such as a multifunction printer. The data is converted to text data if required. An embedded database driver in the printing device converts the data to a format that is compatible with the database.

Abstract: Traversing a firewall. A method embodiment includes receiving, from behind the firewall, an electronic mail message with instructions to establish a connection with a device located outside the firewall. A connection is then established through the firewall with the device outside the firewall according to the instructions in the electronic mail message.

Abstract: A print job is retained on a printer for execution at some future time. An email is transmitted to the printer requesting the print job. The printer responds with an email to a destination address in the requesting email. The responding email includes the retained print job.

Abstract: A method of controlling usage of printer macros stored in a printer includes detecting a request for use of a first one of the printer macros by a print job. Printer identification information contained in the first printer macro is compared to a printer identifier stored in the printer. Usage of the first printer macro by the printer is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of controlling usage of fonts stored in a printer includes detecting a request for use of a first one of the fonts by a print job. Printer identification information contained in the first font is compared to a printer identifier stored in the printer. Usage of the first font by the printer is controlled based on the comparison.

Abstract: An ink cartridge refilling station incorporates a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge, a supply of ink and a refilling mechanism for automatically adding ink to the ink cartridge from the supply of ink. An ink cartridge, for use with the cartridge refilling station, includes a reservoir for holding a supply of ink and an input port communicating with the reservoir, the port being configured to receive ink from the automated ink refilling station.

Abstract: Methods and system configurations including varying combinations of a client computer, a printer, and a network server convey a user's language preference for printer status updates and printer configuration information to a printer. The printer is thus able to respond to status and configuration requests with strings that are arranged in the user's desired language. Printer status strings and configuration strings are therefore displayable in a variety of languages which provides significant benefits in multi-lingual office settings.

Abstract: A printer has access to a remote file system. The printer is configured with a remote file system client module configured to create a logical file system mount to a remote file system. Software, which is configured to operate the printer, is obtained by the printer from the remote file system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for remote management of printing devices of various types within an enterprise. Printers that are not as well-equipped for printing device management (e.g. legacy printing devices and low-end printing devices) are taken into account by assigning printing device management elements and functions that are present in more modern higher-end printing devices to one or more host computers. As a result, printing device management tasks can be similarly applied to all types of enterprise printing devices without having to use multiple user interfaces or user processes.

Abstract: A media qualification device configured to sort media sheets according to one or more detected media characteristics. The media qualification device comprises a media sensor, an unusable media path and at least one usable media path. Qualified media sheets may be passed to a sheet-fed device for image processing. Qualified media sheets may be sorted among a plurality of usable media paths according to media grade. The media qualification device may further comprise an input/output device configured to select media grade parameters.

Abstract: A method for validity checking a file with permitted design features stored in a profile specification. The profile specification is defined by a plurality of page components having elements with attributes, and each attribute has an associated rule specifying the permitted design features for that attribute. The method includes the steps of selecting an attribute from the file, detecting the features of the selected attribute, finding an attribute from the profile specification that matches the selected attribute from the file and comparing a rule associated with the matched attribute from the profile specification with the detected features of the selected attribute from the file, and determining whether the matched attribute complies with the rule.

Abstract: An ink cartridge refilling station incorporates a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge, a supply of ink and a refilling mechanism for automatically adding ink to the ink cartridge from the supply of ink. An ink cartridge, for use with the cartridge refilling station, includes a reservoir for holding a supply of ink and an input port communicating with the reservoir, the port being configured to receive ink from the automated ink refilling station.

Abstract: A method of doing business preferably includes making a transaction on a first web-enabled device, generating a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that references a stored record of that transaction, outputting the URL from the first web-enabled device to a user, receiving the URL with a second web-enabled device, and, with the second web-enabled device, providing an output to the user based on the record of the transaction stored at the URL.

Abstract: A system includes a multifunctional peripheral (MFP) and a computer connected to the MFP via a communication link. The MFP includes a scanner for use by walk-up user to scan a page. The computer provides a user interface that enables a user to request a document be printed and then scanned on the MFP.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for print optimization. In one arrangement, a system and a method pertain to determining a source of print data, determining whether a print profile is available for the print data source, and manipulating the print data using the print profile if it is determined that there is a print profile for the print data source.

Abstract: An ink cartridge refilling station incorporates a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge, a supply of ink and a refilling mechanism for automatically adding ink to the ink cartridge from the supply of ink. An ink cartridge, for use with the cartridge refilling station, includes a reservoir for holding a supply of ink and an input port communicating with the reservoir, the port being configured to receive ink from the automated ink refilling station.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that routes an image-forming-related job from an intended image-forming device to an alternate image-forming device. The method then displays at the intended image-forming device a location of the alternate image-forming device to which the image-forming-related job has been routed.

Abstract: A process and service dependency management system is provided that is used within an operating system environment. The system includes an executing services module containing a list of service processes that are currently executing in the operating system environment. An executing processes module is included that contains a list of service requesting processes executing in the operating system environment. A display structure links an individual service process from the list of services processes to service requesting processes from the list of service requesting processes. The display structure is configured to display a relationship between the service requesting processes and the individual service process, wherein the service requesting processes call the individual service process to receive services.

Abstract: A method is provided for terminating a process based on a user request and enabling process shutdown where possible. The method includes the step of sending a process termination request through an operating system. A further step is receiving the process termination request in a shutdown interface that is operable in the operating system. Another step is issuing a shutdown request from the shutdown interface to allow the process to initiate a shutdown of functions, which are able to respond to the shutdown request. Yet another step is issuing a subsequent termination message from the shutdown interface to terminate the process after any functions to be shutdown have not responded to the shutdown request.

Abstract: Systems for providing an operator with the ability to review information corresponding to printed hardcopy are provided. One such system includes a printing device that is operative to receive print information via a communication network. The printing device prints hardcopy corresponding to the print information and acquires image data corresponding to the hardcopy printed. Additionally, the printing device provides access to information corresponding to the image data. Methods, computer-readable media and other systems also are provided.